Mumbai: Mission 24, a private initiative backed by the BMC to improve the quality of living conditions of people residing in M East ward, spanning Mankhurd, Chembur East, Govandi, Shivaji Nagar, was launched on Tuesday.
A two-year-long initiative of Mumbai First, a not-for-profit think-tank and Apnalaya, a city-based NGO, the logo and the poster of Mission 24 was launched by Sachin Tendulkar and Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta at the BMC headquarters.
The mission will focus on the betterment of M East ward, which has the largest slum population in the city. Mission 24 will work in the fields of education, health, open spaces, commuter safety, solid waste management, sanitation and dignity over the next 24 months.
The initiatives include creating a learning-cum-training centre for skill development, dispensaries, and a makeover of playgrounds in the area. It will also focus on the refurbishment of existing community toilet blocks by BMC and MHADA, decentralisation of waste management and development of railway station areas at Mankhurd and Govandi.
The M East ward has the biggest dumping ground at Deonar, which poses a health hazard for residents. The ward stands at the last position in terms of Human Development Indices (HDI) among the city’s 24 wards. Dr. Arun Kumar, CEO, Apnalaya said, “The lack of basic amenities renders you less than who you are and who you could be, both as an individual and a community. Mission 24 is a much-needed collaborative effort to bring infrastructural changes in M East ward.”
Dr. Kumar believes people in the ward have waited long enough. Mission 24 will share a periodic review and update with the civic chief and the Additional Municipal Commissioner. It will work together with the ward officer, Development Plan Department and local corporators.